Hospital Stay

Me and "Polly" and eating my first real meal after 3 days-

it was delicious! All while rocking a great new hair style!

"Lazy days of..."

I have always heard the phrase “lazy days of summer,” but during the summer we’re outside everyday playing at the park, going to the Zoo, swimming, grilling out etc, etc… But this winter, oh this winter is a cold one and so we come upon ourselves being a little “lazy.” Sure, we have MOPS, play dates and places like the library and mall to hang out if we want to, but it just doesn’t provide as much running space. So I find myself doing things with the kids at home that we probably wouldn’t see accustom in the summer. Like staying in our pj’s until 11a.m. and lounging on the stairs (as you can see below) or baking chocolate chip cookies and eating the dough... I believe Bella says it best… “nummy, nummy!!!” Another frosty day favorite of course is building a fire (well, Pete builds the fire, we enjoy it). :) So as ma-cheese-mo as it sounds I’ve decided I wouldn’t trade winter for any amount of summer because while I am definitely looking forward to warmer temps and getting a little color back in my skin, I will miss these cold cooped up days being so close to my family. Praise God for how creative He is in giving us seasons! :) Stay warm friends!

Some of their favorite things

Preston with Lightening McQueen and Sally (and me of course) :)

Bella with Woody and her baby doll

Bella made the paper!!

Our church had a Birthday party for Jesus back in December for the kids. This is a picture of Bella from the party that appeared in our local newspaper on Christmas day!! :) And the first thing out of Preston's mouth when he saw it was, "Where am I with my green balloon?" Bella has no idea really, she just wanted to crumble the paper. The original of course is laminated on our fridge. :)

Awww....

Preston loving on Bella

Bella loving on Preston (Christmas 08)

Recent Pics

This is the four of us from Bella's Dedication at our church in early December 2008. We chose Proverbs 31 as our spiritual goal for her, as it is a good example of a godly woman, focusing specifically on verses 30 and 31: "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Christmas Eve

2008

Welcome 2009!

Funny how when we are looking into a new year we usually begin by looking back. How did we succeed, how did we royally mess up, what do we want to rid in our lives or possibly make new, not to mention all the memories- some bad- most good. I’ve been examining the last few years as I became a mother; which, no doubt has been tremendously life changing. There were so many things I didn’t know before I became a Mom- like how to change a diaper!! :) Or what sleep deprivation really meant. I didn’t know just how selfish I was nor how anal I am- about everything!!! :) I also didn’t know that incessantly wiping runny noses and answering the same question twenty times a day would feel like the biggest privilege in the world (so long as my perspective is in the right place of course). :) I am just so grateful to God for all the challenges that bring me closer to Him and have made me wiser (ha-ha- as if, right) and all the undeserved blessings, or gifts rather, that He has given to me. If I had a new years resolution, or better yet- a life’s resolution- I would resolve to never take for granted God’s amazing grace.

PS- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

New Years Eve

Pete and I realized this year that once the kids get to a certain age we will probably never spend New Years Eve with them. So, here we are at a good friends house and we all had a great time, we wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way (and as always Preston and Bella are thrilled to be posing for the camera). I played a Wii for the first time and not only was it pretty hilarious but I realized I need to make some major "balance" adjustments. :) The kids didn't make it til midnight and neither did we (gosh, we are getting old)!! :)

With friends, Etan and Julia. They decorated their own New Years hats. :)